Application Timeline - 12 to 14 Months Before

Choose the schools to which you will apply

By now, you should have your definitive list of the schools to which you would like to apply. If you are using
the USA School Search, you can
save these schools in your account and correspond directly with them. Your list should contain the following:

1 or 2 institutions that you would like to attend, but that may not accept you

2 institutions where you feel you have a decent chance of being accepted

1 or 2 institutions where you are quite certain that you will gain admission

Prepare a folder for each of the schools you select in which you will keep copies of all correspondence, application
materials and other information.

Stay on track

Colleges are going to be paying special attention to what you’ve done with your senior year, so make sure you work
hard and keep your grades up. Meet with your counselor to try to prepare a challenging schedule for your final year of
high school, rather than loading up on easy electives. It is also a good idea to maintain a commitment to any
extracurricular activities that you are a part of. Colleges like to see that you are involved in extracurricular
activities, but they like to see that you can maintain an interest in and commitment to just a few activities, rather
than bouncing from club to club every semester.

Obtain all necessary information and forms for each school

Contact each school to obtain information and an application packet – you can do this through
the USA School Search. Many
colleges and universities in the U.S. (but certainly not all) have application materials on their web sites. Be
aware that some web sites carry only applications for institutions that subscribe to that site. Determine what you
will need to apply to each college and/or university on your list of potential programs, as requirements are
different at every school. Note carefully the deadlines on each application.

Graduate students should send a letter to the director of graduate admissions with a copy to the chairman of the
department to which you seek admission.

Make sure you know your deadlines! You’re going to be filling out a lot of forms, so it’s important to know what
is due when. You might want to make a calendar showing the application deadlines for admission, financial aid, and
scholarships.

Now is also the time to inform institutions if you will need
financial aid, as you will need additional forms.

Take required entrance exams

You should take the necessary entrance exams at this time. Many graduate and undergraduates will need to prove their
English skills by taking the TOEFL, IELTS or other accepted English as a Second Language test; undergraduates will
need to take the SAT or ACT exam; and graduate students may be required to take the GRE or GMAT exam. Please visit
our Standardized Tests section for comprehensive
information about these tests, and make sure you know what is required from the schools on your list.

Be sure that you have requested—either by mail or online—that your test scores be sent to the colleges to which you
plan on applying.

Note: Make sure you know your deadlines! You’re going to be filling out a lot of forms, so it’s important to know
what is due when. You might want to make a calendar showing the application deadlines for admission, financial aid,
and scholarships.

USA School Search

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